tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807469796279543652018-01-03T05:01:18.348-08:00BY FAITH, I BELIEVE..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," Jeremiah 29:11 (Bible).
I believe these promises of God concerning me. Who am I? I'm an imperfect vessel who has found grace in God's sight. I like to help and encourage others. I am learning to put faith and love into action. Welcome to my blog. Let's learn together!Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-59103124205630770912017-11-05T07:56:00.001-08:002017-11-05T07:56:41.211-08:00Free lunch and handouts?<div dir="auto">Knowing when to say no to free lunch and handouts:</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Lessons from Abraham and David— Genesis 23:1-16 and 1 Chronicle 21:18-25.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgHnWzIFdoc/Wf80umOOfRI/AAAAAAAAEV4/CWmqvjpxzPwAqIipnNBr5u-uX5QXmavdwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2359-701213.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgHnWzIFdoc/Wf80umOOfRI/AAAAAAAAEV4/CWmqvjpxzPwAqIipnNBr5u-uX5QXmavdwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_2359-701213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6484959963575647506" /></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><b>Jennifer Ehidiamen </b></div><div>M.A Arts; Business and Economics<br></div><div><div>Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism</div><div><font style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b>Website</b></font><font color="#000000" style="background-color:rgb(243,243,243)">:</font> <a href="http://www.about.me/jennifer.ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">www.about.me/jennifer.ehidiamen</a></div></div><div><b><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font></b> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <b><font color="#000000">LinkedIn</font><font color="#990000">:</font></b> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferehidiamen" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;Empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-59873977462189695042017-09-26T05:13:00.001-07:002017-09-26T05:13:38.352-07:00Do not settle!<div dir="auto">When I hear &quot;do not settle&quot;, here is what comes to mind:</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">According to Genesis 11:31-32, Terah was heading to Canaan with his family. But he got to Haran and settled. Terah never made it out of Haran. He lived for 205 years and died there. Why did Terah settle?</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TeihCa77fNs/WcpEc0X_REI/AAAAAAAAEVo/yABji4E3Jq0AGS0DmQPuuxSnddPdmy2jQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2048-718354.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TeihCa77fNs/WcpEc0X_REI/AAAAAAAAEVo/yABji4E3Jq0AGS0DmQPuuxSnddPdmy2jQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_2048-718354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6470059076557423682" /></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><b>Jennifer Ehidiamen </b></div><div>M.A Arts; Business and Economics<br></div><div><div>Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism</div><div><span style="background-color:rgb(243,243,243)"><font color="#000000"><b>About Me</b>:</font></span> <a href="http://www.about.me/jennifer.ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">www.about.me/jennifer.ehidiamen</a><br></div></div><div><b><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font></b> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <b><font color="#000000">LinkedIn</font><font color="#990000">:</font></b> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferehidiamen" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;Empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-54992184490180574912017-08-24T00:07:00.001-07:002017-08-24T00:07:30.322-07:00Lauren Daigle: Come Alive (Dry Bones)<h1 style="margin:0px;font-size:20px;padding:15px 10px 5px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XFZY3yFQyg/WZ57M40s2vI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/0eykHUWgSmoelkwwpgBtFD4vXOkTm0DbgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5116-750324.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XFZY3yFQyg/WZ57M40s2vI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/0eykHUWgSmoelkwwpgBtFD4vXOkTm0DbgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_5116-750324.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6457734377037945586" /></a></div><br></h1><h1 style="margin:0px;font-size:20px;padding:15px 10px 5px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/lauren+daigle/" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(15,98,148)">Lauren Daigle</a> – Come Alive (Dry Bones) Lyrics</h1><div id="content" class="lyrictxt content" style="padding:0px 10px;font-size:15px;background-color:rgb(244,244,244);background-image:linear-gradient(rgb(244,244,244) 0px,rgb(244,244,244) 50%,rgb(255,255,255) 50%,rgb(255,255,255) 100%);background-size:1px 48px;line-height:24px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" dir="auto">Through the eyes of man it seems there&#39;s so much we have lost,<br>As we look down the road where all the prodigals have walked,<br>One by one the enemy has whispered lies and led them off as slaves<br><br>But we know that you are God,<br>Yours is the victory<br>We know there is more to come<br>That we may not yet see<br><br>So with the faith you&#39;ve given us,<br>We step into the valley, unafraid *Yeah*<br><br>As we call out to dry bones<br>Come Alive, Come Alive<br>As we call out to dead hearts<br>Come Alive, Come Alive<br>Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise,<br>We call out to dry bones, Come Alive<br><br>God of endless mercy, God of unrelenting love<br>Rescue every daughter, bring us back to wayward sons<br><br>Then by your spirit breath upon &#39;em, show the world that you alone can save, You alone can save<br><br>As we call out to dry bones<br>Come Alive, Come Alive<br>As we call out to dead hearts<br>Come Alive, Come Alive<br>Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise<br>We call out to dry bones, Come Alive<br><br>So breath, Oh breath of God, Now Breath, Oh breath of God.<br>Breath oh Breath of God, now breath. Breath oh breath of God, Now breath oh breath of God, breath oh breath of God<br>Now breath.<br><br>As we call out to dry bones<br>Come Alive, Come Alive<br>As we call out to dead hearts<br>Come Alive, Come Alive<br>Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise,<br>We call out to dry bones, Come Alive (x2)<br><br>Oh, come alive</div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><b>Jennifer Ehidiamen </b></div><div>M.A Arts; Business and Economics<br></div><div><div>Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism</div><div><span style="background-color:rgb(243,243,243)"><font color="#000000"><b>About Me</b>:</font></span> <a href="http://www.about.me/jennifer.ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">www.about.me/jennifer.ehidiamen</a><br></div></div><div><b><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font></b> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <b><font color="#000000">LinkedIn</font><font color="#990000">:</font></b> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferehidiamen" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;Empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-46308060148026553432017-08-23T13:25:00.005-07:002017-08-23T13:25:51.986-07:00Katy Perry - By The Grace of God"By the grace of God (there was no other way)<br />I picked myself back up (I knew I had to stay)<br />I put one foot in front of the other<br />and I Looked in the mirror<br />and decided to stay<br />Wasn't gonna let love take me out that way" <br /><br /><div style="height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HfIZ7WXvDxo?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="460"></iframe></div><br /><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Read more:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/by-the-grace-of-god-lyrics-katy-perry.html#ixzz4qc08p2GH" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #003399; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Katy Perry - By The Grace Of God Lyrics | MetroLyrics</a>&nbsp;</span>Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-91463752904567797382017-05-05T05:17:00.001-07:002017-05-05T05:17:58.110-07:00Be kind to yourself. Manage expectations well. <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12pt"></span></p><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haWAVj0s4D4/WQxtdiV4TEI/AAAAAAAAEUY/J4MlDF2Cm9kCarsw9jYv87jqKv5ngTmUwCK4B/s1600/IMG_3708-778111.PNG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haWAVj0s4D4/WQxtdiV4TEI/AAAAAAAAEUY/J4MlDF2Cm9kCarsw9jYv87jqKv5ngTmUwCK4B/s320/IMG_3708-778111.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6416623923298323522" /></a></div>Image via artofhomage<div><br><p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12pt">I took a sweet nap in Church last Sunday. So wrong, yeah? I shamelessly rested my head and just allowed myself doze off. My neighbour (the young man who sat beside me) nudged me once to wake up but I gave him a power-nod. You know, one of those nods that confuses even the guy trying to wake you up-- is she sleeping or in the spirit?</span></p><p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">As a child I used to hear that when you feel drowsy in church it meant that the devil was beside you fanning you to sleep in order to steal your blessings. That memory must have been one of the things that jolted me back to reality. The nap was for like five minutes but it felt way longer.</span></p><p class="m_-2519613065025735469p2">The message for that day was about managing expectations in order to reduce the amount of disappointments we experience in life. As the passion of the preacher roared through the hall, I took some notes.</p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">The jenniferized version:</span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">Most times disappointment comes when we are the ones engineering things...we set goals with a now-now attitude. And so when things don&#39;t happen as we &quot;engineered&quot;, we hit the rock bottom. Disappointed.<span class="m_-2519613065025735469Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">He also said something about the risk of comparing ourselves with others. You know. We sometimes forget that we all have our times and seasons. Living by another person&#39;s timing is risky. A big catalyst for disappointment.</span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">It is okay to fail. Life is about winning some and loosing some. But the latter can be better managed to become a stepping stone for something greater.<span class="m_-2519613065025735469Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">The preacher man pointed out a few examples from the Bible to back each point he made. I caught some:<span class="m_-2519613065025735469Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">2 Kings 5 -- Naaman who almost missed the opportunity to be healed because he was expecting the Prophet to give him a VIP treatment. His high expectation did not match the simple instruction that he was given. If not that he tucked away his pride, God knows...<span class="m_-2519613065025735469Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some of us have lost so many things because of pride.<span class="m_-2519613065025735469Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">Psalm 38- But God is merciful. David understood that so well.<span class="m_-2519613065025735469Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">Psalm 37:4- that key!</span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">Yo! Have a fantastic Friday! Manage your expectations well and be kind to yourself. I am learning too.</span></p> <p class="m_-2519613065025735469p1"><span class="m_-2519613065025735469s1">Shalom!</span></p> </div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-3971381888549560152017-04-05T05:24:00.001-07:002017-04-05T05:24:41.104-07:00Death was arrested!<div><span style="box-sizing:border-box;font-weight:700;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:13.399999618530273px;text-align:center"><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j81Yn_wVw2g/WOTiCZLvK_I/AAAAAAAAET4/FdYiy8Ffu2oX4IrOoMJFhGPuwzjEJH7LgCK4B/s1600/IMG_3331-781104.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j81Yn_wVw2g/WOTiCZLvK_I/AAAAAAAAET4/FdYiy8Ffu2oX4IrOoMJFhGPuwzjEJH7LgCK4B/s320/IMG_3331-781104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6405493100775418866" /></a></div><br></span></div><span style="box-sizing:border-box;font-weight:700;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:13.399999618530273px;text-align:center">&quot;Death Was Arrested&quot;</span><div><div class="_xHd qxsd mod" style="clear:none;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Roboto-Regular,HelveticaNeue,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px"><div class="_eFb" style="margin-top:8px"><div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" style="line-height:20px"><span class="_xdb" style="color:rgba(0,0,0,0.541176)">Artist: </span><span class="_Xbe kno-fv" style="display:inline;text-overflow:ellipsis;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.870588)"><span tabindex="0" class="r-iFWXEniJWHIs"><span class="r-ijxkQoNUwVnA"><a class="fl" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;sa=X&amp;hl=en-us&amp;biw=320&amp;bih=460&amp;q=Laura+Story&amp;stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOPgE-LVT9c3NEw3SyrMNivLUOLSz9U3MK7IrcpK1lLKTrbSzy0tzkzWL0pNzi9KycxLj0_OKS0uSS2ySiwqySwuAQCj0X0mQQAAAA&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj9v9uXpY3TAhXB2yYKHQYaDkYQhYkBCC0oADAD" style="color:rgb(26,13,171);text-decoration:none">Laura Story</a></span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="mod" style="clear:none;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Roboto-Regular,HelveticaNeue,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px"><div class="_eFb" style="margin-top:8px"><div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" style="line-height:20px"><span class="_xdb" style="color:rgba(0,0,0,0.541176)">Album: </span><span class="_Xbe kno-fv" style="display:inline;text-overflow:ellipsis;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.870588)"><span tabindex="0" class="r-i2VMq2sHX_vM"><span class="r-it0bT5mjxl7Q"><a class="fl" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;sa=X&amp;hl=en-us&amp;biw=320&amp;bih=460&amp;q=Laura+Story+Open+Hands&amp;stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOPgE-LVT9c3NEw3SyrMNivLUIJwUyqSTMotDE211LOTrfRzS4szk_WLUpPzi1Iy89Ljk3NKi0tSi6zSMouKSxQSc5JKcwHNXfU9SQAAAA&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj9v9uXpY3TAhXB2yYKHQYaDkYQhYkBCDAoADAE" style="color:rgb(26,13,171);text-decoration:none">Open Hands</a></span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="mod" style="clear:none;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Roboto-Regular,HelveticaNeue,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px"><div class="_eFb" style="margin-top:8px"><div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" style="line-height:20px"><span class="_xdb" style="color:rgba(0,0,0,0.541176)">Released: </span><span class="_Xbe kno-fv" style="display:inline;text-overflow:ellipsis;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.870588)">2017</span></div></div></div><div class="_Wtj mod" style="clear:none;padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Roboto-Regular,HelveticaNeue,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px"><div class="_eFb" style="margin-top:8px"><div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" style="line-height:20px"><span class="_xdb" style="color:rgba(0,0,0,0.541176)">Genre: </span><span class="_Xbe kno-fv" style="display:inline;text-overflow:ellipsis;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.870588)">Christian/gospel</span></div></div></div></div><div><br style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:13.399999618530273px;text-align:center"><div style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:13.399999618530273px;text-align:center">Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Lost without hope with no place to begin<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Your love made a way to let mercy come in<br style="box-sizing:border-box">When death was arrested and my life began<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Ash was redeemed only beauty remains<br style="box-sizing:border-box">My orphan heart, was given a name<br style="box-sizing:border-box">My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance<br style="box-sizing:border-box">When death was arrested and my life began<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Oh Your grace, so free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Washes over me<br style="box-sizing:border-box">You have made me new<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Now life begins with You<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Released from my chains I&#39;m a prisoner no more<br style="box-sizing:border-box">My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore<br style="box-sizing:border-box">He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend<br style="box-sizing:border-box">When death was arrested and my life began<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Oh Your grace, so free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Washes over me<br style="box-sizing:border-box">You have made me new<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Now life begins with You<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">It&#39;s Your endless love<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Pouring down on us<br style="box-sizing:border-box">You have made us new<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Now life begins with You<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Ohh with You<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Our Saviour displayed on a criminal&#39;s cross<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Darkness rejoiced as though Heaven had lost<br style="box-sizing:border-box">But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand<br style="box-sizing:border-box">That&#39;s when death was arrested and my life began, ohhh!<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Oh Your grace, so free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Washes over me<br style="box-sizing:border-box">You have made me new<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Now life begins with You<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Ohh, it&#39;s Your endless love<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Pouring down on us<br style="box-sizing:border-box">You have made us new<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Now life begins with You<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Oh we&#39;re free, free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Forever we&#39;re free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Come join the song<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Of all the redeemed<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Yes we&#39;re free, free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Forever amen<br style="box-sizing:border-box">When death was arrested and my life began<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">We&#39;re free, free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Forever we&#39;re free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Come join the song<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Of all the redeemed<br style="box-sizing:border-box"><br style="box-sizing:border-box">Yes we&#39;re free, free<br style="box-sizing:border-box">Forever amen<br style="box-sizing:border-box">When death was arrested and my life began<br style="box-sizing:border-box">When death was arrested and my life, began.</div></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-49656557069040921772017-04-04T02:18:00.001-07:002017-04-04T02:18:59.047-07:00Relationship over religion: The message from an old man...<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEkv8_tiLnU/WONlA2Anl9I/AAAAAAAAETo/CEHPDqRqLg0iUzjcYSlrrZZbSTUm_04_wCK4B/s1600/IMG_3553-739048.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEkv8_tiLnU/WONlA2Anl9I/AAAAAAAAETo/CEHPDqRqLg0iUzjcYSlrrZZbSTUm_04_wCK4B/s320/IMG_3553-739048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6405074160223492050" /></a></div><div><br></div><div><div>Had a sweet conversation with an old man in a bus yesterday (Sunday). Learnt a lot from him! He said that I would tell people about our meeting. He was right 😁.</div><div><br></div><div>Summary: </div><div>Stop making noise that you are a christian. Let them see the LORD reflected in you. Context: the early apostles did not call themselves christians. The people saw them model everything Jesus taught and called them &quot;christians&quot;. They were like Christ. Are you? Am I? 🤔 Are we?</div></div><div><br></div><div>Shalom!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-72504800673550261602017-04-04T02:05:00.001-07:002017-04-04T02:05:17.580-07:00Queen Esther (the movie)<div> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <title></title> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px} span.s1 {font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 12.00pt} </style> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Trying to watch at least one movie per month. I&#39;ve just seen Queen Esther... one of my favorite scenes is the tête–à–tête the king had with Esther after Vashti lost her throne due to &quot;rebellion&quot;. The king fearing that Esther might rise up to become another activist within his palace asked, &quot;Will you be an obedient queen?&quot;. Esther&#39;s response included, &quot;Will you be a faithful king?&quot;. I liked that she had a very &quot;strong voice&quot; (confidence and wisdom) in the presence of the king. Any royalty will be attracted to that. The rest of the discussion is pure poetry. You &#39;ll enjoy it. But I still prefer the book as it is recorded in the Bible 😊. I guess I&#39;m just a bookaholic.</span></p><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Am-mAK0gtcM/WONhzi1wS7I/AAAAAAAAETc/5foUjd0vhV8CZDIn6U07buKQgTAc4laeACK4B/s1600/IMG_3552-717581.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Am-mAK0gtcM/WONhzi1wS7I/AAAAAAAAETc/5foUjd0vhV8CZDIn6U07buKQgTAc4laeACK4B/s320/IMG_3552-717581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6405070633204468658" /></a></div><p></p> </div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-50458003377907274672017-03-19T06:30:00.001-07:002017-03-19T06:30:18.712-07:00Tongue-Power: How do you use your tongue?<span class="versenum" style="box-sizing:border-box;font-size:12px;line-height:22px;vertical-align:top;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold"> &quot;</span><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered,&quot; Proverbs 11:9</span><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">&quot;There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health,&quot; Proverbs 12:18</span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">&quot;A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit,&quot; Proverbs 15:4</span><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">&quot;Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof,&quot; Proverbs 18:21</span><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Speak life! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Shalom.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZP3AC0_6AI/WM6H67foMUI/AAAAAAAAETI/50nb0YgY-WMkQD8McQyZ8Q4C43iTk6sywCK4B/s1600/IMG_3212-718714.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZP3AC0_6AI/WM6H67foMUI/AAAAAAAAETI/50nb0YgY-WMkQD8McQyZ8Q4C43iTk6sywCK4B/s320/IMG_3212-718714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6399201567012565314" /></a><br></div>Photo Credit: Emmanuella C.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-9903292856187933612017-03-02T01:22:00.001-08:002017-03-02T01:22:48.775-08:00Pay Attention: Hebrew 12:1 - 2<div>&quot;Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times...&quot;</div><div>Luke 22:54-62</div><div><br></div><div>I heard something profound during communion service last night that I would like to share...</div><div><br></div><div>The message that was preached was drawn from Hebrew 12:1-2. </div><div><br></div><div>Pastor Ghandi explained how we as christians need to let go of some weights slowing us down from running the race set before us effectively... </div><div><br></div><div>Jesus Christ endured all manners of things in order to fulfill His calling and finish His race. He endured the shame, loneliness and pain that came with the cross. His follower, Peter, who was always quick to pledge his loyalty even denied Him during the most trying period of His life. So basically, in this race, don&#39;t expect everything to go smoothly. </div><div><br></div><div>We have to learn to focus and not compare our journey and experiences with other&#39;s. Sometimes people will think that you are crazy and all that. They will not understand because the blue-print that you are following is eternal and different from the world system. </div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes we falter, other times we stumble. But the key is to shed the weight and press on towards the mark of high calling. Somewhere along the line, the preacher used Peter&#39;s experience as an example. </div><div><br></div><div>You see, when the cock crowed the third time, everyone else heard an ordinary cock crow but for Peter it was a confirmation of something deeper that made him weep bitterly. </div><div><br></div><div>Any way, we all know that Peter later got a chance to publicly proclaim his love for our Lord Jesus three times to replace his earlier denial. It is a good thing to know that we have the hope of redemption. </div><div><br></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OViYo7FK-ZA/WLfkaXz-M7I/AAAAAAAAES4/BN2I0zxT28Amgvs6jFtbJKa8-OHT2Jb2ACK4B/s1600/IMG_3056-768777.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OViYo7FK-ZA/WLfkaXz-M7I/AAAAAAAAES4/BN2I0zxT28Amgvs6jFtbJKa8-OHT2Jb2ACK4B/s320/IMG_3056-768777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6392829337795441586" /></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Back to the point, the message spoke to me personally. With all the happenings in the world today, we need to be more conscious of our connections and remember that our journeys are different. While some may hear an ordinary cock crow today or tomorrow, for you or me it might be a message that should not be ignored. Your cock crow could come in different forms. Pay attention.</div><div><br></div><div>You might need to study Luke 22:54-62 and John 21:15-18 to get the full picture.</div><div><br></div><div>Shalom!</div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-16818062931211598362017-02-28T02:55:00.001-08:002017-02-28T02:55:48.604-08:002,000 demons in one man?<div>&quot;<span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;;font-size:18px">So Jesus allowed them to do this. The evil spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of pigs ran down the hill and into the lake. They were all drowned. There were about 2000 pigs in that herd,&quot; Mark 5:13</span><br></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;;font-size:18px"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;;font-size:18px"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-9104225450393185642017-02-19T05:24:00.001-08:002017-02-19T05:24:50.841-08:008 effects of God's word in our lives<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u1HyUL_KhVg/WKmcpJuCpPI/AAAAAAAAESk/CYTxsQqr7qIlkORkoj8uNFVtpyscqlx5wCK4B/s1600/IMG_2943-790843.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u1HyUL_KhVg/WKmcpJuCpPI/AAAAAAAAESk/CYTxsQqr7qIlkORkoj8uNFVtpyscqlx5wCK4B/s320/IMG_2943-790843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6388809777199359218" /></a></div><div><br></div><div><div> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <title></title> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px} span.s1 {font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 12.00pt} </style> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Eight effects of God&#39;s word in our lives:</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">1. It produces faith. Faith comes when we hear God&#39;s word. (Romans 10:17)</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">2. It is the seed of the new birth (produces incorruptible life). James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:22-23</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">3. It produces spiritual nourishment and keeps us healthy. 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">4. It gives mental illumination (not same as worldly education). Psalm 119:130</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">5. It provides physical healing. Psalm 107:17-20; Prov 4:20-22 (God saves, heals and delivers)</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">6. Makes it possible to have victory over sin and satan. Psalm 119:9,11;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br></span></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">7. It sanctifies and cleanses us (holiness). Ephesians 5:25-27</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">8. It is a spiritual mirror. James 1:23-25<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Notes from &quot;Laying the foundation: part 2 (Authority &amp; Power of God&#39;s Word)&quot;</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">by Derek Prince.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Shalom!</span></p><p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p> </div><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-49971835156441250982017-02-05T08:00:00.001-08:002017-08-17T14:08:06.004-07:00Called to worship!! The act of worship!<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BqTXLm-sgc/WJdMJsx1zrI/AAAAAAAAERw/5QruKTmVQ08u6oGuypJ42xHBoZp6NplFACK4B/s1600/IMG_2709-737825.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6383654726343708338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BqTXLm-sgc/WJdMJsx1zrI/AAAAAAAAERw/5QruKTmVQ08u6oGuypJ42xHBoZp6NplFACK4B/s320/IMG_2709-737825.JPG" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Today, I got to listen to the message, "worship" by Derek Prince. He talked about how we can use our body to worship God. Yes, yes, we as believers must worship God almighty in spirit and in truth. But our spirit cannot worship in isolation.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>"To get your whole personality in tune with God, and respond to God as He desires, your spirit has to work through your soul to move your body."</div><div><br /></div><div>Some examples of the activities of the whole body during the act of worship:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Head: bow your head</div><div>Genesis 24:26; Ex 4:31</div><div>2. Hands- Lift up your hands in God's name Psalm 141:2</div><div>- Clap your hands</div><div>Psalm 47:1</div><div>- Stretch out your hands in longing, ready to receive</div><div>2 Chron 6:12-13</div><div>3. Knees: bow your knees</div><div>Ephesians 3:14 - an act of total submission</div><div>Isaiah 45:23</div><div>Phil 2:9-10</div><div>4. Falling prostrate on your face before God. It means total submissions to God.</div><div>Gen 17:3; 15-17</div><div>5. Dance with all your might</div><div>2 Samuel 6:14; 20-23;&nbsp;</div><div>Psalm 103:1</div><div>1 cor 6:17</div><div>1 cor 15:44</div><div><br /></div><div>Relationship between thanksgiving, praise and worship:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Thanksgiving - Acknowledge God's goodness and kindness</div><div>2. Praise - Acknowledge God's greatness</div><div>Psalm 100:4: praise gives secure access to God</div><div>3. Worship - Acknowledge God's holiness.</div><div>Through worship your spirit makes contact with God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Psalm 95:1-7</div><div>Worship is only to God. Be totally involved during worship. God speaks during worship!</div><div><br /></div><div>What are you currently going through? Come join in let us worship through the storm!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Shalom!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div dir="ltr">-- </div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size: small;"><div><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jennifer&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: black;">Twitter</span><span style="color: blue;">:</span>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color: black;">FaceBook</span><span style="color: #990000;">:</span>&nbsp;<a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><div dir="ltr"><i>"I'm empowered to lead by serving!"</i></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-22278327193200430972017-01-25T01:04:00.000-08:002017-01-25T01:05:01.231-08:00Psalm 23: who is God to you?<div> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <title></title> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px} span.s1 {font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 12.00pt} </style> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Thanks for the tag @afolayanesther 😊. Here is my version of the #psalm23challenge:</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">1. The Lord is my Warrior and has made available to me ALL that I will ever need.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">2. He makes me, trains me and leads me - through low fields, high mountains, raging storms and calm seasons of life. We bear good fruits together.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">3. He knows when I run off sometimes and run on empty or in error. Nothing catches Him by surprise. But still He takes me back and refuels my inner-man so that I can honor Him and not bring shame to His name.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">4. Sometimes it gets really dark and I walk through the corridor of death itself. But I come out alive because of this living God who is forever the life of my light and light of my life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br></span></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">5. Thank you Lord for always being my sufficiency and showing me off as a living example of your amazingness. Because of your love, I have more than enough.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">6. Your presence excites me. Everything about it is good. Plus I really like gathering with others to worship You. Keep me humble. Keep me solid and holy. As long as I breath, use me as a channel to express your great love to others, especially the unreached. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span></p><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31GYU_XtaJA/WIhqPdPbuDI/AAAAAAAAERg/2hxpg0Daqtc--iMxNAq6i9a5OgU9Tdm_gCK4B/s1600/IMG_2665-701233.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31GYU_XtaJA/WIhqPdPbuDI/AAAAAAAAERg/2hxpg0Daqtc--iMxNAq6i9a5OgU9Tdm_gCK4B/s320/IMG_2665-701233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6379465685950249010" /></a></div>***<p></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Take the challenge 😁 Did I change the rules 🤔 Well, well... what is your story?</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">#psalm23 #HolyBible #takethischallenge #impassioned #prayitforward #lightofmylife #lifeofmylight #iamnotashamed</span></p> </div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">Jennifer </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Twitter</font><font color="#0000ff">:</font> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/disgeneration" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">@DisGeneration</a> <font color="#000000">FaceBook</font><font color="#990000">:</font> <a href="http://facebook.com/Jennifer.Ehidiamen" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Jennifer.Ehidiamen</a></div><p dir="ltr"><i>&quot;I&#39;m empowered to lead by serving!&quot;</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-32968275844848311982017-01-18T09:09:00.003-08:002017-01-18T09:09:44.913-08:00Standing in the gap: The ministry of intercession<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">“God calls us to the ongoing ministry of intercession...I believe that worship and intercession are perhaps the two highest ministries of which christians are capable...intercession means coming in between God and somebody who needs God…Jesus is the perfect intercessor.<br />Intercession is not thinking about what you should pray about…it is opening yourself to the Lord through the Holy Spirit and letting Him share His burden with you…”</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i>Derek Prince, “His Power in Your Hands”</i></b></blockquote></div><div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">Intercession is being so related to Jesus that He places His burden on you…you have to be sensitive because it can happen at anytime. You might be cooking lunch and feel the urge to intercede/pray for someone. You have to stop at that moment and pray.</div><div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><br /></div><b>Watch the full&nbsp;message: His power in your hands</b><br /><div style="color: #e4af0a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><br /></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eU1GK-ta510" width="460"></iframe>Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-41041172888990448372017-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:002017-01-01T00:00:01.538-08:002017: Full Armour On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gmW_YiqUgtM/WEoDmgq-1yI/AAAAAAAAEQY/eRumFX10E0YulyTCg0trpmozkGWos7IvgCLcB/s1600/Amour%2BOf%2BGod_Eph6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gmW_YiqUgtM/WEoDmgq-1yI/AAAAAAAAEQY/eRumFX10E0YulyTCg0trpmozkGWos7IvgCLcB/s320/Amour%2BOf%2BGod_Eph6.jpeg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;">2014 was the year,<br />No, make it two years before that,<br />and then three years before that,<br />when I started to run on reserve<br />until I ran the race on empty.</div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;">I depended on kinsmen’s prayers<br />said amen to pastor’s blessings.<br />But I never took the pain to seek I AM’s face<br />or feed on His word<br />until I came crashing,<br />flat on my back.<br /><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;">Still, He was there to catch my fall,<br />healed my brokenness - spirit, soul, and body;<br />and put a new song in my heart.</div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;">Today I say:<br />Never let me go, Ishi,<br />fill me up with your Word, that brings life,<br />so that I can propagate the gospel of truth<br />&nbsp;and birth life with every breath.</div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; orphans: 2; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2;">Let 2017 be the year,<br />where my root will grow deep<br />and bloom anew!</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-top: 15px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div>***<br /><br /><br />"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." Proverbs 24:16 (KJV)<br /><br />"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." Psalm 27:8King James Version (KJV)</div>Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-22863164814285937292016-12-26T09:06:00.003-08:002016-12-26T09:30:52.260-08:00I'm waiting on God. Really? How are you waiting?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_QezD5XmTs/TSKNLmth8kI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/vK2zb5OF-Z0eGGRXUrg6aPKHb5e3tlVtQCPcB/s1600/virtuous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_QezD5XmTs/TSKNLmth8kI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/vK2zb5OF-Z0eGGRXUrg6aPKHb5e3tlVtQCPcB/s320/virtuous.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via IoT</td></tr></tbody></table>Are you waiting on God? How are you waiting? Do you know there is a foolish way of waiting? It came alive to me last week. I played a major character in the encrypted script.<br /><br />So we had an office party, and I invited our "new" roommate. The evening was lovely. And we left early so that our roomie can go pack up her things to her new home - our place.<br /><br />We both agreed that she would text/call me once she arrives at the building so that I could meet her and let her in and also help her with some of the things. It will take her like 45 minutes or so she said.<br /><br />Then I got home, changed out of my work clothes and all that. Placed the phone by my pillow and dozed off. I remember waking up now and then to check my phone. But no sign of text or call from her. I slept off again.<br /><br />After a while, I woke up from my slumber and checked my phone. Alas! It was past midnight. I had about 14 or so missed calls and 3 SMS from our new roomie. Oh boy, I jumped out of bed. But I didn't have to go far because I saw bags and someone else cuddled on a bed at the other end of a room.<br /><br />She got in. Our other roommate [our host] let her in...<br /><br />To cut a long story short, as I reflected on how everything had played out, I realized that in a way the event that night reflects how I might have been waiting on God too.<br /><br />You know, even if my roommate did not arrive at the time we both agreed, knowing that she was going to return, I should have actively kept watch and waited for her call instead of cuddling comfortable in bed. I could have sat at the table, read a book, stayed on the computer. Or do something other than snuggling comfortably in bed that made me sleep off on the watch.<br /><br />Fellow soldiers in Christ, are you waiting for the Lord's return? How are we waiting? Are we expectant but tired out? Knocked out of breath? Or waiting while actively reflecting the ways of our Lord, preaching the gospel, reaching out to lost souls with love and compassion?<br /><br />Are we watching and praying?<br /><br />Remember the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25&amp;version=NKJV" target="_blank">parable of the wise and foolish virgins</a>? God forbid that we miss the mark!<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour&nbsp;in which the Son of Man is coming." Matthew 25:13</blockquote><br />Are we waiting on God for the manifestation of what He has spoken concerning our lives? How are we waiting? With high expectation, while feeding our faith or just chilling and NetFlix?<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 KJV</blockquote><br />How are we waiting? May the Holy Spirit, our wonderful counsellor, empower us to keep watch and not slip off or sleep off on duty.<br /><br />Shalom!<br /><br /><br /><br />Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-26163267868399857392016-12-18T21:37:00.000-08:002016-12-18T21:38:01.165-08:00The god of this world hates you...<div>&quot;If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.&quot; John 15:18. </div><div><br></div><div>You can&#39;t be of God and expect to be loved by the world! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQvXvIZMynw/WFdyOgJ7LMI/AAAAAAAAERE/qFeaAnfPTmcDHHLcBU7U45Adewf61u3_gCK4B/s1600/IMG_2421-781166.PNG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQvXvIZMynw/WFdyOgJ7LMI/AAAAAAAAERE/qFeaAnfPTmcDHHLcBU7U45Adewf61u3_gCK4B/s320/IMG_2421-781166.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6365682191786781890" /></a></div><br></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-56501098756711794482016-12-16T03:32:00.001-08:002016-12-16T03:32:53.051-08:00Jonathan and David: Notes on love and friendship<div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-713zvk5th-4/WFPQ5V1ZrJI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/mfCQbpvdMDEQRa84SWGmCBDvDIw9tnSWwCK4B/s1600/IMG_2274-773051.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-713zvk5th-4/WFPQ5V1ZrJI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/mfCQbpvdMDEQRa84SWGmCBDvDIw9tnSWwCK4B/s320/IMG_2274-773051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6364660381936888978" /></a></div><div><br></div>&quot;...Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Another passage describes it as, &quot;...the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.&quot; 1 Samuel 18:1.</div><div><br></div><div>And David&#39;s felt the same way. Here is how he described his feelings after Jonathan passed on:</div><div><br></div><div> "I am distressed for you, my brother, Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful; surpassing the love of women" (2 Sam 1:26).</div><div><br></div><div>Their friendship didn&#39;t just happen though. It was intentional and it was nurtured. See 1 Samuel 18:3-4. They didn&#39;t just connect on social media and left the rest to become history. They actually connected and made a pledge of loyalty of sort.</div><div><br></div><div>Some people joy in being alone...but woe to him who has no friends! What will he do in the day of adversity? Two can get each other&#39;s back and keep eachother warm in this sokewhat cold world.</div><div><br></div><div>Some people joy in being a social butterfly and cheerleader of people&#39;s party...but how many of these people are really reliable? So woe to him who has too many unreliable friends...lol...that too will bring too much trouble:</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.&quot; Proverbs 18:24 </div><div><br></div><div>On love and friendship, here is the standard to be copied:</div><div><br></div><div> &quot;For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.&quot;</div><div>John 3:16</div><div><br></div><div>Friendship is love...</div><div>Love is giving...love is also receiving...Love is a verb. </div><div><br></div><div>When you read Jonathan and David&#39;s story, you will see that it was not all mushy-mushy. The men risked their lives for eachother. The bond was even transgenerational! Jonathan&#39;s grandson, Mephibosheth, was impacted positively by this friendship. (2 Samuel 9:1).</div><div><br></div><div>It is the end of the year and I am thankful for the friends and family that God has blessed me with. But I&#39;m thinking, Lord how can I improve the quality of my friendship? How can I love intentionally and selflessly like You do? How can I be passionately in love (not just by feeling) and allow my soul knit to another&#39;s like David and Jonathan?</div><div><br></div><div>Teach me Lord! Take me to a higher level of this love that is your nature (1 John 4:7-8)! God is love!</div><div><br></div><div>Words to live by:</div><div><br></div><div>1 Corinthians 13:1-10</div><div>The Message (MSG)</div><div><br></div><div>The Way of Love</div><div><br></div><div>13 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.</div><div><br></div><div>2 If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.</div><div><br></div><div>3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.</div><div><br></div><div>Love never gives up. </div><div>Love cares more for others than for self. </div><div>Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. </div><div>Love doesn't strut, </div><div>Doesn't have a swelled head, </div><div>Doesn't force itself on others, </div><div>Isn't always "me first," </div><div>Doesn't fly off the handle, </div><div>Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, </div><div>Doesn't revel when others grovel, </div><div>Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, </div><div>Puts up with anything, </div><div>Trusts God always, </div><div>Always looks for the best, </div><div>Never looks back, </div><div>But keeps going to the end.</div><div><br></div><div>8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>So help me God. Amen.</div><div><br></div><div>Shalom!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div> Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-77254048574521140242016-12-05T12:34:00.002-08:002016-12-05T12:36:00.504-08:00Life Interrupted: Navigating the UnexpectedBack to Eden.<br />Dreams.<br />Schemes.<br />Worship.<br />Life.<br />Submission.<br />Ministry.<br />Battles.<br />Protect your calling...<br />Obedience.<br />Lost in His will.<br />Grow.<br /><br />Reading a book and seeing yourself in the pages leaves you wondering, "did God create us in twos?"<br /><br />Currently on my reading list:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYjT7Iigfyk/WEXPHA-bqkI/AAAAAAAAEQI/5-u8ygB3_fgqqBl3hZD_OFFKOdB7HtkqACLcB/s1600/Priscilia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYjT7Iigfyk/WEXPHA-bqkI/AAAAAAAAEQI/5-u8ygB3_fgqqBl3hZD_OFFKOdB7HtkqACLcB/s320/Priscilia.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br />Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-40036327350984726902016-12-04T20:21:00.001-08:002016-12-05T12:29:46.008-08:00Ru-hamah: On this path called life<div style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqQw0jcNHfs/WETraMqulEI/AAAAAAAAEP8/KijPmaHpPSou5Y6I6_US6kBt147NBPnGQCK4B/s1600/IMG_1731-719593.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6360467409063547970" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqQw0jcNHfs/WETraMqulEI/AAAAAAAAEP8/KijPmaHpPSou5Y6I6_US6kBt147NBPnGQCK4B/s320/IMG_1731-719593.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My feet took me places<br />my heart would rather not have been.<br />But we already know by now<br />that evil would never tempt us<br />with things we do not desire.<br />So the fall was high,<br />but not higher than the Most High.<br /><br />The lover of my soul,<br />He lifted me out of the pit<br />beheld my beauty like the first night<br />and welcomed me home.<br /><br />My first love, Ishi,<br />I come to you broken.<br />The woman with light in her heart<br />tells me<br />that your mercy, Ru-hamah, was there all along<br />and your love is enough,<br />I believe.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div>Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-49416072177430969952016-11-28T17:39:00.000-08:002016-11-28T17:41:21.660-08:00Standing in the gap: prayer is listening to instruction...<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xV523wEc7tM/Svm0jfDvvKI/AAAAAAAAAU0/OdXeySFKRWccwITz9mMK9MfJpiZenwliwCPcB/s1600/embracing_light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xV523wEc7tM/Svm0jfDvvKI/AAAAAAAAAU0/OdXeySFKRWccwITz9mMK9MfJpiZenwliwCPcB/s1600/embracing_light.jpg" /></a></div><br />I dragged myself to church on Sunday [...tired of the status quo] and one of the key things that I took away is that prayer is also listening to instructions. Sometimes when I go before God, I go with a long shopping list of the things I want Him to do for me. I run through the list, say or whisper a big amen and hurry off to the next activity. But when two Pastors on Sunday [on two different occasions for that matter] kept repeating that we should learn to go before God with the intention of "praying by listening," I felt that they were both talking to me.&nbsp;</div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;"><br /></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;">Example - Luke 5:1-8 - When Peter was hustling at work, and it looked like all was not working, Jesus gave him a simple instruction, but he didn't listen...at least that is what I see in the text...Jesus said: "Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." What did Simon do? First he "complained" and then said, "...nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net". Jesus instructed him to take nets, but he took a net and when his miracle came in, his net could barely hold it.... I left Church feeling somehow because like Peter, I think I've many times allowed my mind muddle with God's instructions or my feet to move faster than God's instructions. </div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;">Examples of those who listened: </div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;">Joshua, when he was instructed to gather the children of Israel and march round the wall of Jericho...and shout after a certain number...anyone would have thought that was a crazy/weird strategy for winning a battle...but it worked! [Joshua 5 &amp; 6]</div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;">David, when he asked God whether to pursue his enemies or not. God told him no. He could have as well pursued them knowing that in the past when he pursued, God gave him victory...but pursuing his enemies was not in God's strategy this time...thank God he asked and listened to instruction! [1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23]</div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;"><br />Daniel, when he sort God's face to interpret the king's dream! If he had hurried out of God's presence, he wouldn't have heard a thing. [Daniel 2]<br /><br />The apostles when they had to select a new disciple to replace Judas Iscariot! Act 1:23-25<br /><br />The list goes on and on! <br /><br />Anyway, I thought to share this quick lesson....as we all fan our personal prayer altar this week, I hope that we'll keep in mind that prayer is listening to instruction[s]...and as we listen, may we all hear God's voice in a language that we'll each understand and obey promptly--even if the instructions don't make sense to our human understanding. And where we might have missed a turn or instructions in the past, may God's mercy help re-direct our "feet" to the right path. AMEN! <br /><br /><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Here is an old post on "<a href="http://aheartfullofgod.blogspot.com/2012/08/standing-in-gap-who-are-you-praying-for.html" target="_blank">Standing in the Gap: Who are you praying for?</a>"</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="ff8am-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>Shalom!</div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9j6jt" data-offset-key="57vcs-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="57vcs-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div></div>Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-72480543220158701632016-11-24T16:29:00.000-08:002016-11-24T16:30:50.337-08:00Protect Your Calling...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1sZ15oNpCY/U8Ry4DyeCYI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/DEpqz05qi5EGvvd516WXTUYW86ch_oMWACPcB/s1600/leap-of-faith-791891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1sZ15oNpCY/U8Ry4DyeCYI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/DEpqz05qi5EGvvd516WXTUYW86ch_oMWACPcB/s320/leap-of-faith-791891.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The other day at Newark Airport, a young man walked up to me and started this interesting conversation about being born again and asked about my faith. Yes, in America, that same country where faith is a private matter.<br /><br />To cut the long story short, by the time I was done with my dinner, the young man summed up the conversation with the charge to stop hiding my power. *sigh<br /><br />I saw this video and thought to share!<br /><br />What is your calling? Beware of the <a href="http://aheartfullofgod.blogspot.com/2012/10/learning-about-shadow-missionwhat-is.html" target="_blank">shadow mission</a>!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftom.ekpo.9%2Fvideos%2F10154773744589082%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe><br />Shalom.Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-75518617031268313412016-11-12T08:30:00.002-08:002016-11-12T08:30:38.545-08:00Lord, Deliver Us from Strange Doctrines!<blockquote class="tr_bq">"Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord."&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Psalm 144:11-15.</blockquote><br /><div>These past months, I heard about so many religious views and saw many unChristlike actions that for weeks made me stay away from "church", church people and agents who propagate these strange doctrines to confuse believers and followers of Jesus Christ. But the experience has even challenged me to keep my eyes on studying God's word for answers instead of trying to rationalise the things of the spirit with human understanding.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are so many doctrines and strange messages! There are many youtube links that would almost drive you crazy if you are not careful and turn you away from the gospel! Everyone of them believe that their way of "religion" is the correct way. One even said "God" is not the real name of God. And that each time we call that name we are worshipping the devil or something of that nature.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Someone [who called me a pagan by his religious standard :-) ] used to send me hebrew names of God and all that Jewish teachings [is that legalism?] and tried to convince me to learn them... long story. I told him I will call God almighty the creator of heaven and earth by the names already revealed in the Bible-- the Holy book! But he brought on this long argument about the pope and all this and all that. Long story!</div><div><br /></div><div>Dearly beloved, I ask that we keep praying for one another and ask for God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, to reveal Himself to us like He did to the prophets of old who called Him a name to express their encounter...!</div><div><br /></div><div>But God almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, has also revealed Himself to us through His son, Jesus Christ - Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, the lion of the tribe of Judah! We must not allow strange doctrines pull us away from His light and truth!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2K9XCulnsH0/WCc8ZNUGCTI/AAAAAAAAEPY/FvJAAAUE_RAIs45SPAzHo3FrXz8iyHJhwCLcB/s1600/ha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2K9XCulnsH0/WCc8ZNUGCTI/AAAAAAAAEPY/FvJAAAUE_RAIs45SPAzHo3FrXz8iyHJhwCLcB/s400/ha.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div class="clearfix fbPhotoSnowliftAuthorInfo _xlu" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 16px; position: relative; widows: 2; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix _8u _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;"><div class="_6a" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit;"><div class="_6a _6b" style="display: inline-block; 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vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">😳</span></span>When there's no foundation.<br />Many people are dying a slow death because their hope lies in the traditions of the church only, and not in JESUS! Have a relationship w/ Him, not a building. Make sure wherever you assemble, that the foundation is Jesus!</span></i></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Having a personal relationship with God and living according to His WORD is what will help us stay rooted in His truth! May the Holy Spirit continue to help us walk right and discern strange doctrines that may want to put a wedge between us and the love that God Almighty has bestowed on us.</div><div><br /></div><div>....But at the end of the day, will we be asked what denomination we belonged to or what religion we practiced...? It is our faith in Jesus Christ, our impact and expression of His love towards others and our obedience, among other things that counts.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfZwcs-JUlM/WCdDkdxgQ6I/AAAAAAAAEPo/f0LSUYCMyMwQJwuGge5FXE2nOHFieloGQCLcB/s1600/Lord_help_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfZwcs-JUlM/WCdDkdxgQ6I/AAAAAAAAEPo/f0LSUYCMyMwQJwuGge5FXE2nOHFieloGQCLcB/s320/Lord_help_me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><b>My prayer for every young believer and christian who might be struggling [including myself!]:</b></div><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,&nbsp;Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;<br />That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:<br />The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,<br />And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,<br />Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,<br />Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:<br />And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,<br />Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Ephesians 1:15-23</blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="_xlr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; padding: 0px 16px; widows: 2;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0">Shalom!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280746979627954365.post-37593814118297580742016-08-21T22:43:00.000-07:002016-08-21T23:15:18.994-07:00Is it God or the devil that is dealing with us?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05SteXy3awY/TZEWiq7FqAI/AAAAAAAAA7U/irLHECl2N7goCn8s-I0dSPPr1rDUNGayQCPcB/s1600/IMG00009-20110327-1835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05SteXy3awY/TZEWiq7FqAI/AAAAAAAAA7U/irLHECl2N7goCn8s-I0dSPPr1rDUNGayQCPcB/s320/IMG00009-20110327-1835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="tr_bq"><br /></div><div class="tr_bq"><br /></div><div class="tr_bq">Have you ever been in a situation that leaves you wondering how you got there in the first place? Like Jonah aboard the ship being tossed left and right.</div><br />Have you ever experienced a life threatening situation that left you gasping for breath? Or had your significant other rising up in your defense? Like Moses, <a href="http://aheartfullofgod.blogspot.com/2012/08/standing-in-gap-who-are-you-praying-for.html">when Zipporah stood in the gap for him</a>.<br /><br />Last week, I was thinking a lot about spiritual warfare and how we Christians are often told to rise up and arm ourselves in order to overcome, and not fall victim of the devices of the wicked.<br /><br />You see, reading through the Bible, we are taught how great men and women of faith had to fight their way to victory through the help of the Spirit of God. These men and women fought for their lives, their land, their destinies in order to obtain and enjoy the promises of God concerning them. They fought and conquered. And their gains became a transgenerational blessing, one we still benefit from till date.<br /><br />When Jesus Christ came into the world, one of His major goals was to reconcile us back to God. Along the way, He won us big victories over sin, sickness, shame, diseases, poverty and death! So, by accepting Jesus Christ as our LORD and saviour and having faith in God, we get to walk in that same level of victory.<br /><br />BUT. That does not mean that we will not be faced with challenges. It just means that we'll be operating from a different level. When an agent of the devil comes to torment us with any familiar or strange sickness, we are able to rise up and say: The Lord rebuke you satan! And he will flee. We have that power and authority&nbsp;through Christ and the blood that was shed on the cross of calvary.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 [<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016:33">Bible Gateway</a>]</blockquote>There are situations, however, when we do not need to raise our fist up in anger against the devil and his agents. There are times when all we need is someone like Zipporah standing in the gap for us because the wrath of God is upon us as a result of an unconfessed sin or a path of disobedience we chose to follow.<br /><blockquote>Exodus 4:24-26<br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+4%3A24-26&amp;version=NIV">New International Version (NIV)</a>24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+4%3A24-26&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-1626a">a</a>] and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it.[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+4%3A24-26&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-1627b">b</a>]“Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)</blockquote>There are times when like Jonah we have to open our mouth and confess our disobedience and reckless living in other to save ourselves and others from destruction. Even if this will land us in the belly of a whale, we know repenting from our evil ways will pay off well in the long run. Sometimes, it looks prettier to cover our sins. But the high road is always better-- confess and repent [turn from the evil way/pleasures of sin].<br /><blockquote>"Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous. And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.” Jonah 1: 10-12 [<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&amp;version=NKJV">Bible Gateway</a>].</blockquote>We also remember king David. He was confronted by prophet Nathan after he committed adultery and murder, and he repented. Psalm 51 has become one of the most heartfelt repentance many Christians read aloud today because David took the high road and repented before God.<br /><br />I've been reflecting on some of these cases and the trend of spiritual warfare. What if Jonah, David, Moses/Zipporah had spent more time waging war against the devil and his cohorts instead of humbling themselves and repenting of their own sins? What if they had not been quick to discern that it was God dealing with them and not the devil? It will be a different story we are telling today!<br /><br />Take a look at Saul! One of the reasons he lost everything was because even after prophet Samuel confronted him about his act of disobedience to God, he gave excuses instead of repenting! He fell from glory [when a genuine repentance would have lifted him out of the rut].<br /><br />I am not trying to underplay the importance of spiritual warfare. I am just amazed that most times we focus so much on throwing punches at the devil and constantly rebuking him when we should be rebuking ourselves. Like seriously, I've consciously developed a habit of doing spiritual check-up where I have to ask myself whenever I'm feeling a cloud of darkness washing over me: "Is it the devil that is dealing with you or God?"<br /><br /><b>Take a moment to reflect:</b><br /><br />Are the challenges you are going through as a result of a crack you left in your armour that gave the devil the foot-hold to torment your life? Or as a result of a deliberate act of disobedience on your part? Or is it God trying to get your attention over something?<br /><br /><ul><li>Are you facing relationship issues? CHECK-UP: Is the guy/girl you are dating an unbeliever? Are you doing things to honor God or your flesh? Is God calling you to set yourself apart for Him but you are being persistent about wanting a relationship because the world expects you to? Take note, the trouble in the relationship might not be the devil wanting to ruin your union but God trying to get your attention back to that path He wants you to be or God working hard to get you out of that particular relationship to protect you from the danger ahead.</li></ul><ul><li>Are you facing rejection in your bid to climb up the career ladder?&nbsp;CHECK-UP: Struggling to become CEO&nbsp;under 35 [or the first this and the first that] when deep down within you know God has called you to become a missionary and help build the broken bridges in obscure communities around the world? Or to be that watchman who will sound the warning for others not to perish in their sin?</li><li>Do you have a disease or sickness that you have been fasting and praying to go away?&nbsp;CHECK-UP: is it a dart&nbsp;from the devil? Or did it start when you deliberately embraced an adulterous relationship? Or cheated that naive customer who was unaware of your manipulative scale?</li></ul><div>Fellow soldier in Christ, do not be stubborn. Let us repent and turn our hearts to God. Nothing, no pleasures of sin, can be compared to the bliss of walking in obedience, in line with God's will for our lives. This is not to say that we have to be a "PERFECT T". No. As long as we learn to always be honest with ourselves, others and God, He will always help us get better and better.</div><br />Again, some trouble we face aside being devil afflicted or self-afflicted might just be God making us go through them in order to strengthen our faith. The key is patience and discernment. No point running from one deliverance ministry to another when all we need to do is to be still and fix our eyes on Jesus:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">1 Peter 5:10 [<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A10&amp;version=ESV">Bible Gateway</a>]</blockquote>It is important in this age and time to always discern. Let us always ask the Holy spirit for help. Don't go battling the devil when all you need to do is confront your own sin, repent and walk in the victory that God has given us through Christ Jesus! The sin might just be as simple as a "small" lie that needs to be corrected. Or a "big" sin like murder, stealing or adultery. A sin is a&nbsp;sin.<br /><br />Of course, there will always be forces trying to truncate our destiny. But with faith in Jesus Christ, we would be confronting those darts with the Light in us and the victory that our Lord already set on our path[s].<br /><h4>Be still. Take your focus off the devil-- he is a loser already. Fix your eyes on Jesus and let Him reveal to you what exactly is the cause or purpose of your pain.</h4>There are cases [will be cases] like Job's, when it is God who will give the devil permission to deal with us [Job 1:6-12]. Or like Peter, whom the devil asked Jesus for permission to sift [Luke 22:31-34]. But it all ended in praise because even though they both went through such painful trial and temptation, they came out of it better --broken, bruised but BETTER.<br /><br />Job's wealth and family were restored - better than what he lost- and he was given the opportunity to pray for his friends who almost confused his faith [beware of the voices you listen to during your trials and temptation]. As for Peter? He fell. He denied Christ. But he repented and Jesus who already prayed long before Peter's fall empowered him to use his weakness to strengthen others. Peter grew to become a strong apostle whose story is very prominent in the book of Acts.<br /><br />When next you find yourself walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and it feels like your whole world is caving in, have faith that God who is mighty to keep His promises will pull you out of it. But also be sure that you are not the one fanning the flame of darkness upon you and your loved ones through conscious or unconscious acts of disobedience.<br /><br />I write this to you as I write to myself as well.<br /><br />May God have mercy on our generation!<br /><br />Shalom.<br /><br />Jennifer Ehidiamenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524521223368416891noreply@blogger.com0